Expressing concern over milch cattle feeding on garbage from nearby landfills, the Delhi High Court had recently directed that the Bhalswa dairies be relocated to Ghogha Dairy Colony.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Tuesday halted its demolition drive at the Bhalswa Dairy Colony after the arrival of bulldozers was met with strong resistance from thousands of residents.
The demolition drive followed a recent Delhi High Court order asking authorities to relocate the Bhalswa dairies to Ghogha Dairy Colony, 20 km away, in four weeks, with the bench expressing concern over milch cattle feeding on garbage from nearby landfills, saying that the quality of milk produced was being compromised.
As thousands protest, MCD halts demolition drive at Bhalswa Dairy Colony
Expressing concern over milch cattle feeding on garbage from nearby landfills, the Delhi High Court had recently directed that the Bhalswa dairies be relocated to Ghogha Dairy Colony.
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The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Tuesday halted its demolition drive at the Bhalswa Dairy Colony after the arrival of bulldozers was met with strong resistance from thousands of residents.
The demolition drive followed a recent Delhi High Court order asking authorities to relocate the Bhalswa dairies to Ghogha Dairy Colony, 20 km away, in four weeks, with the bench expressing concern over milch cattle feeding on garbage from nearby landfills, saying that the quality of milk produced was being compromise
“The MCD arrived with its bulldozers but 10-15,000 people had gathered to stop the demolition so the action could not take place. We will now carry out the demolition after August 15 when more security personnel are available to be deployed in the area,” an MCD official said.
Established in 1976, the dairy colony in Bhalswa has been a longstanding fixture in North Delhi. Tuesday’s demolition drive was targeted at dairy plots that were originally allotted for cattle but are now being used for commercial or residential purposes.
In an official notice dated August 6, the MCD gave the occupants of illegally or unauthorizedly used dairy plots in Bhalswa Dairy Colony a three-day notice. “A survey of Bhalswa Dairy Colony was undertaken by the department wherein it was found that the occupiers of the dairy plots had carried out construction unauthorizedly and illegally, changing its use to residential, commercial shops, factory/industry, godown, etc., which is against the terms and conditions of allotment for operating the dairy plot in the form of dairy farming units,” the notice read.
Residents alleged they were being unfairly punished for the waste management issues stemming from the Bhalswa landfill established in 1994. When the MCD arrived with bulldozers at Bhalswa on Tuesday, thousands of residents gathered at the area’s Gujjar Chowk, effectively stopping the demolition.